Bill and I took a beautiful drive through back country roads, roads with names like county BB road, and R10 road. Roads that took us through beautiful farmlands.
We were headed to Hovenweep. Our friends, and co-hosts, Dave and Deb, told us about this place, and we wanted to experience this magical and spiritual place for ourselves.
I will let the readings I read when we arrived and began our hike through Hovenweep speak to you as they did to me. I found this reading very powerful, spiritual, and thought provoking.
This reading sets the stage for what you’re about to encounter as you walk through Hovenweep.
I keept thinking about both of those readings as I walked through, and gazed upon the structures of Hovenweep. What were the daily lives of the Pueblo Indians like?
What was each structure used for? I’m sure some were dwelling places, some were for storage, and some were places for the tribes to gather together. Much like how we live today. But can you imagine how difficult it would be to store corn, beans, etc. and try to keep rodents, snakes and other critters out of your food supply?
This structure is called Eroded Boulder House. The information sheet says “its another delightful structure visible in the canyon. It incorporates the huge rock under which it sits as part of its roof and walls”. Imagine how difficult it must have been for the Pueblo Indian people to gather the materials (no Home Depot around then), and build these structures with only the tools they could make themselves.
The hiking trails throughout Hovenweep are clearly marked and lined with rocks so you don’t lose you way.
And the whole area is stunningly beautiful. I am always amazed at how these trees can grow out of the rocks.
There are plenty of opportunities to stop, and just take in all the views while pondering on the lives of the Indians that once called this great place home.
Sad, but true, that there have to be signs to tell people to stay on the trails, and not climb on or touch the ancient ruins.
The hike we took through Hovenweep was about 2 miles long, around, and through the canyon. The first 3/4 of the hike was flat and easy, but the last 1//4 was difficult, as we had to descend down,
to the canyon floor,
then climb, climb, climb, back up the canyon wall on the other side.
One of the interesting things we learned, and that really impressed Bill, was that the taller the wild sage bush, the deeper the soil. Something that was useful for the Pueblo Indians when deciding where to plant their crops.
At the end of our two hour hike, we had a wonderful picnic lunch of chicken salad wraps and chips. We laughed and tried to think back about how many picnic lunches we have shared together, in beautiful places, over the last six years of full-time RV retirement life…
On the picnic tables all around us were these signs to remind people to help keep wildlife wild, and not feed the wildlife. It never ceases to amaze me how many people ignore the signs and feed the wildlife anyway…
It was another beautiful, fun-filled day. We always enjoy our trips visiting new places and enjoying nature, and we always practice the outdoor ethics rule of,
Stay Tuned!
